Wolf and German sheperd dog skull: morphometric changes due to domestication

A morphometrical investigation between Italian wolves’ skulls and German Shepherd dogs skulls was carried out to study if the domestication process can determine craniometric changes induced by the different way of life between the wild ancestor and the present domestic dog. By the comparative evaluation of morphometrical data from 8 wolf and 8 German Shepherd skulls, all obtained from Navone taxidermy laboratory (https://www.tassidermia. com/), the Authors found that wolf skulls are larger in 78% of the craniometrics variables, in accordance with strong and fast use of masticatory muscles, necessary for predation. From morphological and morphometrical point of view, less marked nasal “frontal stop”, shorter and wider skull, larger orbital angle and a coronoid process with dorsal side facing caudally are the features that most characterize the wolf skull and that change during the domestication process. Of particular interest is the lower morphometrical parameters of canine and carnassial teeth in German Shepherd dog jaw respect to wolf jaw, probably related to a different approach to food, and a larger nasal opening of German Shepherd dog skull, probably related to an aesthetic characteristic. The reduction of craniometric parameters which mainly concern the dorsal part of the skull could be attributed to a decrease of brain volume caused by domestication process, attributable to a reduction of the limbic system.